The Dragon King Hall's revenge was swift. Following Li Xiaotian's command, on the same night, the Dragon King Hall annihilated ten strongholds of the Assassin Alliance.
While the exact location of the Assassin Alliance's headquarters remained unknown, they had numerous strongholds scattered across the war zone. The Dragon King Hall's intelligence network, however, spanned the entire war zone, making it incredibly easy to locate them.
"The Assassin Alliance dared to assassinate our King. They deserve death. The Dragon King Hall obliterates ten of your strongholds as a reciprocal strike. Furthermore, hand over the information of the employer, or the Dragon King Hall will end your legend!"
The Dragon King Hall also made its stance known throughout the war zone, instantly shocking all factions. Was the Dragon King Hall about to wage war against the Assassin Alliance?
"Is being the number one in the war zone no longer enough for the Dragon King Hall? Their declaration of war against the Assassin Alliance is poised to spread the flames of conflict across the entire war zone!" Major factions began to discuss among themselves. The Dragon King Hall's actions were truly astonishing; destroying ten Assassin Alliance strongholds in a single night was a devastating blow.
"The Dragon King was reportedly injured during the assassination attempt. The Assassin Alliance has grown excessively bold, daring to accept a mission to assassinate the Dragon King. This is a clear provocation against the Dragon King Hall!"
"The Dragon King Hall's fury is understandable. Destroying ten strongholds as a retaliation, and demanding the Assassin Alliance break their rules to reveal the employer's identity – this clearly indicates they are not seeking peace with the Assassin Alliance!"
"While the Assassin Alliance is often disliked, they are known for their adherence to rules. The information of their employers is never revealed; it is the primary tenet for all assassins of the Assassin Alliance. Tell me, do you think the Assassin Alliance will back down this time and hand over the employer's information to the Dragon King Hall?"
"Heh, I doubt it. Do you recall the great battle five years ago? Thirty War Gods joined forces to destroy the Assassin Alliance, but what was the outcome? All thirty War Gods were annihilated overnight. The Dragon King Hall, while possessing unfathomable power, only has a little over twenty War Gods. I believe the Dragon King Hall has met its match this time."
"It would be best if the Dragon King Hall were annihilated by the Assassin Alliance. Just because they became the number one force in the war zone does not mean they can act with such impunity. Is it not better to simply remain on the throne of supremacy? Deliberately provoking the Assassin Alliance is suicidal!"
"That's not entirely accurate. The Dragon King was injured in the assassination attempt, and the Assassin Alliance's actions are akin to slapping the Dragon King Hall across the face. If the Dragon King Hall doesn't retaliate, it would be a disservice to their title as the number one in the war zone."
"However, if the Assassin Alliance truly intends to go to war with the Dragon King Hall, our Black Bear Organization will stand with the Assassin Alliance. The Dragon King Hall has been acting too recklessly in the war zone, and they must be brought to justice!"
"Haha, there are no eternal allies in the war zone, only eternal interests. Whoever among the Dragon King Hall and the Assassin Alliance emerges victorious, we will join them. Hahaha, let them fight to the bitter end, and cleanse all organizations in the war zone."
For a time, the entire war zone, and indeed the entire world, focused their attention on the Dragon King Hall. Both the Dragon King Hall and the Assassin Alliance possessed astonishing resources and wealth; the fall of either faction would be enough for all the world's powers to stake a claim.
Li Xiaotian paid no heed to the outside speculation. In the war zone, every faction was a potential enemy. Only by remaining strong would they be kept in line. The moment you showed any weakness, they would swarm like a pack of wolves.
When he ordered the destruction of ten Assassin Alliance strongholds, Li Xiaotian had already prepared for a full-scale war with the Assassin Alliance. At this moment, no one in the Dragon King Hall was idle.
The territory governed by the Dragon King Hall was contracted, its intelligence systems were operating at full capacity, and all of the Dragon King Hall's War God level powerhouses were stationed at every crucial stronghold. The Dragon King Hall's headquarters alone was guarded by ten War Gods.
At this moment, the Dragon King Hall was fully prepared for a comprehensive defense, because their current opponents were unlike any they had faced before. They had no idea who their opponents were or where they would come from.
The Assassin Alliance itself was composed of assassins. During missions, they were killers; in their daily lives, they could be ordinary people or even your comrades. Therefore, the Dragon King Hall had to exercise extreme caution.
However, none of the Dragon King Hall's members were afraid. They knew their current enemies were formidable, but the Assassin Alliance's audacity in attempting to assassinate Li Xiaotian had struck a nerve with everyone in the Dragon King Hall, causing them immense pain.
Consequently, the Dragon King Hall's fighting spirit was soaring, and they were constantly ready for battle.
"Dragon King, the Alliance has prepared a grave for you, waiting for your occupancy!" Suddenly, news from the Assassin Alliance spread across five regions of the war zone, stunning everyone and sending chills down their spines.
The Dragon King Hall had destroyed ten of the Assassin Alliance's strongholds, and the Assassin Alliance's response directly targeted the Dragon King himself, with extreme insult.
"Is the Assassin Alliance preparing to fight the Dragon King Hall to the death? They've prepared a grave for the Dragon King, waiting for his occupancy. Are they insane, or are they trying to drive the Dragon King Hall mad?"
"The Dragon King is perhaps the most powerful individual in the war zone currently. The Assassin Alliance's provocation is excessively arrogant. While the assassination attempt on the Dragon King was already outrageous, this time it's even worse, with them even preparing his grave."
"Primarily, the Assassin Alliance must have been provoked by the Dragon King Hall's response. Ten strongholds lost just like that – how much time and resources would it take to rebuild them? Remember, the last time thirty War Gods joined forces, they only managed to destroy a dozen or so Assassin Alliance strongholds, and were ultimately annihilated by the Assassin Alliance. This time, the Dragon King Hall has struck so ferociously from the outset. Can the Assassin Alliance not be enraged?"
Li Xiaotian showed no reaction upon hearing this news, not even anger. However, the people of the Dragon King Hall were furious.
"Annihilate five more strongholds!" At the Dragon King Hall's headquarters, Commander Mei, a War God from the Intelligence Department, directly issued the order. All personnel from the Intelligence Department were deployed, as they were also specialists in assassination.
In a canyon within a primeval forest in the western part of the war zone, a deafening explosion echoed. Following that, countless figures emerged from the forest and charged into the canyon. This was an Assassin Alliance stronghold. Fortunately, the Intelligence Department had managed to find a stronghold used by the Assassin Alliance specifically for training assassins.
Instantly, the sounds of fierce combat resounded throughout the valley. The assassins within the valley fought with bloodshot eyes. They had never imagined that this stronghold was one of the organization's highest levels of secrecy, only to be discovered by the Dragon King Hall.
"Send word to headquarters: all strongholds are to prepare for relocation. The Dragon King Hall's intelligence capabilities are far more powerful than we anticipated!" The head of the stronghold, also a War God, issued orders to his subordinates before charging out.
However, the Dragon King Hall had sent a large number of people, including five War God-level powerhouses. Furthermore, because the Assassin Alliance was confident in the secrecy of its strongholds, only one War God was stationed at this particular location.